Coupling-head.



I. A. HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.H. 1909.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET i.

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animate-a Isaac .fl/[arrzaan wan. use:

g gw @m attoznug I. A. HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-Ii, 1909.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

mmeee.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2- avwentoz Isaac fi. Harrison Witnesses attach I. A.HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD.

I APPLIICHWON FILED AUG-H.1909. I 1,172,989. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- anvenfoz I witnesses v I. A. HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-11,1809.

1,172,989. v Patented Feb. 22,1910.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4- 6 1:99 84 8/ 3m fiikjf Elnozwkoz Isaac fljfarrzlsmz.

Witness afloat;

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

I. A. HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD. APPLICATION FILED AUG-H, 1969.

Snvcntoz I. A. HARRISON.

COUPLING HEAD.

APPLlCATION HLED AUG-11, x909.

1,172,989. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6- I/IIIIII/III fsaac/ffiarrsoiz Witnesses OF BALTIMORE,MQBYLAND, ASSIGNOR, OF ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH C. HOWARD, OF BALTIMORE,MARYLAND.

GOUPLING-HEAD. I

To all whom it may concern 7 Be it known that L'ISAAC A. HARRISON, acitizen ofthe United States, residing at Baltimore, in the county'ofqBaltimore City and State of Maryland, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Coupling- Heads, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to an improvement in coupling heads designedprimarily for the automatic connection and disconnection of the steamand air pipes throughout the length of a train.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a couplinghead formed for the automatic connection with or disconnection from acomplementary head to unite and form an 'eilicient connection betweenthe air and steam pipes of ad acent cars, the coupling heads operatingauto-- matically and without attention in-the coupling and uncoupling ofthe cars.

Another ob 'ect of the invention is the provision of flexible gasketsforming the terminal of each pipe connection in each coupling head, thegaskets of one head being adapted to be forced into airtight connectionwith the gasketsof the opposing head when the heads are coupled, theinvention including means whereby the gaskets of each head areautomatically operated to insure eilicient contact in the final couplingof the heads and to prevent contact of said gaskets during the couplingor uncoupling movement of the respective heads, whereby independentmovement of the gaskets while in contact and the consequent wear of suchparts is avoided.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby in theseparation of the coupling heads other than through the manual controlof the car couplers, the valves of the respective heads will beautomatically locked open, thereby bleeding the train pipes and settingthe brakes. This construction is particularly advantageous as itprovides for an automatic setting of the brakes in the parting of thetrain or the separation of a car in accidental or emergency conditions.

The invention will be described in the following specification,reference being had particularly to theaccompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a vertical section on-the line Specification of LettersPatent.

of the operating slide bar.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Application filed August 11, 1909. Serial No. 512,433.

11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a central horizontal section, artly inelevation, showing both heads coup ed. Fig. 3 is a section takenhorizontally through one of the heads, the parts being shown in normalor uncoupled position. Fig. 4: is an elevation of one of the valves.Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a section on line 66of Fig.- 3. Fig. 7 is a perspective of the locking lever. Fig 8 is aperspective of one of the locking bars. Fig. 9 is a perspective Fig. 10is a sectional view illustrating a modified means for tensioning thelocking lever. Fig. 11 is a partial side elevation of the valve carrier.Fig. 12 is a bottom plan, showing the connection of the coupling head tothe car. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 14 is an enlargedbroken plan partly in section of the supporting means for the couplinghead. Fig. 15- is a horizontal sectional view, illustrating a modifiedform of structure and showing the coupling heads in coupled positions.Fig. 16 is a section of the same on line 1616 of .Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is aperspective view of the modified form of locking lever used in themodified construction. Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view of acoupling head, illustrating another form of locking lever with amodified construction of slide bar to cooperate with the locking lever.Fig. 19 is a. view similar to Fig. 15, showing the automatic air valvecontrolling means. Fig. 20 is a vertical section, taken just beyond thecontrolling means of Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a broken View, similar to Fig.19, showing a slightly different form of valve looking I means.

The present invention is directed to providing a coupling head forming aterminal of the steam and air pipes at each end of the car, theconstruction being such that when the heads are in normal or uncoupledrelation particular steam and air pipes are automatically closed, whilewhen the heads of adjacent cars are in coupled relation the cutofivalves of the respective pipes are automatically opened and opencommunication established between the respective pipes of the adjacentcars.

forming one coupling are of duplicate construction, so that a detaileddescription of one will sufice for both. Each head com In thisconnection it is. to be understood that the respective heads.

prises a base plate 1, which for the greater portion of its length is ofrectangular contour in plan, being formed at its relative forward end intriangular outline, as at 2. The base plate, which is disposed on edge,when in operative position, is provided throughout its top and bottomedges with walls 3, which at an appropriate distance beyond the baseplate are connected by a cover plate 4. The walls 3 throughout thelength of the triangular portion 20f the base plate have their outeredges inclined toward the base plate, so that the portion of the coverplate 5 engaging said inclined edges will terminate in a point or nose6, the end wall, or more properly the continuation of the cover plate,being thickened or other- Wise reinforced at this point to afford asubstantial bearing for the locking lever to be later described. Thebase plate 1 immediately adjacent the nose 6 is formed with an elongatedopening or slot 7 and in rear of said opening preferablyalined with theuncture of the rectangularand triangular portions of the base plate,formed with a series of openings 8, which form the outlets for thesealing gaskets, as will presently appear. The openings 8 correspond innumber to the'number of pipes to be connected and'are arranged inalinement transverse the length of the base plate.

In rear of the openings 8 the top and botare formed or provided withguide ribs 9, arranged in longitudinal alinement and extendingthroughout the width of the wall and on the relatively inner surface ofthe same. Slidably mounted on the ribs 9 is what I term a valve ing itsside walls formed with grooves 11 to receive the ribs 9 andpermitindependent movement of the carrier to and from the base plate 1,for a purpose which will presently appear.

The carrier, which is an approximately rectangular body, is formed witha series of bores 12 arranged about centrally of the same and invertical alinement, said bores corresponding in number to the number ofpipes to be connected, in the instance shownthree. The bores 12 arecircumferentially enlarged in their relatively inner portions, as at-13, and areclosed at their, relatively inner ends by removable plugs 14.Beyond each bore 12 toward the cover plate 4- the carrier is formed inalinement with the bore with a second bore 15, which, at its relativelyinner end through an opening 16, communicates with the enlarged portion13 of the bore 12. The carrier is formed, beyond each bore 12 toward thecoupling with a third bore 17, which through the medium of an opening 18com- I municates with the bore 12 in advance of the enlarged portion 13of said bore, said bore said base plate is carrier 10 comprising abox-like casing hav-.

the base plate of tension 19, which. is of less width'though equal inheight to the carrier proper. The bores 17 communicate with passages 20open ing through that wall of the extension,19 adjacent the base plate1, the said wall of the extension being provided about the outlet fromeach passage 20 with a sealing gasket 21. The gaskets are preferablysecured in the. wall of the extension so as to normally project beyondthe surface of the Wall, the parts being so arranged that the respectivegaskets 21 register with the openings 8 in the base plate. The formationof the bore 12, hereinafter termed the valve bore, of two distinctdiameters provides a shoulder 22, which is formed to provide a valveseat, it. being obvious from the con struction-described that the bore15, hereinafter termed the inlet bore communicates with the bore 12 onone side of the valve seat 22, whilethe bore 17, hereinaftertermed theoutlet bore, communicates with the valve bore on the opposite side ofthe valve seat. Movably mounted in each bore 12 and arranged forcoii'peration with the seat 22 therein 18 a valve 23, the stem 24 ofwhich I extends through the relatively rear wall of the carrier andthrough a stuffing box 25.

secured to said wall. The end of the stem beyond the carrier beingprovided witha disk head 26, between which and the proximate carrierwall is arranged a coil spring the outlet bore is closed against theinlet bore, so that the respective steam and air pipes 29 areeffectively closed. Secured tothe cover plate 4 in advance of thecarrier are sleeve housings 30 in the end walls of which are threadedadjusting screws bearing against the relatively outer terminal of coilsprings 32, the opposite end of which engage studs 33 on the outer wallof the carrier extension 19. The springs 32 are so tensioned as tonormally maintain the gaskets 21 projected through the openings 8 1n thebase plate, and to insure an air-tight juncture between opposinggaskets, the adjusting screws 31 providing for maintaining -an accuratetension of the springs for this purpose. Movably mounted between guideflanges 34 projecting outwardly from the relatively outer surface of thebase plate 1, near the rear edge thereof, is a slide bar 35, a bridgemember 36 being secured to the free edges of the flanges to preventindependent outward movement of the slide. The slide comprises a mainbar 37 which in the relatively forward portion is divided to formspacedparallel bars 38. At a point in advance of the guide flanges 34each bar 38 is formed with an outward extension 39,

, which extensions are provided at their free or outer endswith apressure bar 40. The bar 40 is thus arranged transversely of the slidebar and is of greater length than the height of said bar, the pressurebar being des1gned to simultaneously engage and exert pressure'uponltheends of the valve stems 24 in the operation of theparts. Immediately inadvance of the pressure bar 40 each bar 38. is cutaway on its relativelyinner surface to reduce the thickness of the. bar, the relatively outeredge of said cutaway portion bein formed toprovide immediately beneatthe pressure bar a squared portion or shoulder 41, extending in parallelrelation to and spaced inwardly fromthe proximate edge of the bar 38. Inadvance of the sl1oul- [der 41 the edge of the cutaway portion isinclined outwardly, as at 42, terminating at its forward end in anabrupt shoulder 43 extending at right angles to the outer edge of thebar 38, said edge of the cutaway portion being in advance of theshoulder 43 inclined outwardly from said shoulder, as at 44,. therelatively forward end of the inclined portion'44 terminating incoincidence with the outer or free edge of the bar 38.

Immediately in advance of the forward end of the inclined portions 44the bars 38 are reduced in thickness and width and projected to formguide bars 45, the forward ends of which terminate in blocks 46, whichare of greater width though of similar other dimensions with the guidebars 45. The projecting portions of the blocks 46 extend outwardlybeyond-the surface of the bars 45, the juncture between the projectingportions of the blocks and the guide bars forming an inclined shoulder47, all .as clearly shown in Fig. 9. The relatively inner surface-ofthe'base plate 1 in rear of the open-' mounted a cross bar 51 of alocking lever 52. The cross bar 51'extends outwardly through an openingin the base plate so as to dispose the main length of the locking leveron the relatively outer surface of the base plate." The cross bar 51projects between the spaced bar 38 of the slide, and the lop king leverprojects forwardly between will presently appear. it will be noted thatthe locking lever is .cen-

said bars and terminates in a hook end 53 designed to project through anopening 54 in the base plate immediately in rear of the carrier 10, aleaf spring 55 being secured to the bridge piece 36 with its free endbearing upon the locking lever, so as to normally maintain the hook end53 of said lever ,projected through the opening54 in position to engagethe nose end 6 of the complementary head, the lever in this operationpassing through the slotted openings 7 in the comple'mentary head, asclearly shown in Fig. 2. The. locking lever, which is more particularlyseen in Fig. 7, is provided on its relatively outer edge immediately inrear of the hook end 53 with a lifting bar 56, the relatively innersurface of which on the respective sides of the locking lever isinclined, as atl57, for coiiperation with the respective inclinedsurfaces 42 and 44 of the bars 38, for a purpose which will presently.appear. cross bar 51 of the locking lever extends beyond the proximatesurfaces of the bars 38, and pivotally connected at 58 to said end ofthe cross bar are looking bars 59. These bars 59, which are elongatedstrips of metal,

are each provided at their rear ends with cars 60 to provide for theirpivotal connection to the cross bar 51 of the locking lever, theirforward ends terminating. in blocks 61, which project beyond therelatively outer surfaces of the bars, for a purpose which As seen inFig. 5

trally disposed between the respective bars 38 of the slide, and betweensaid lever and each'bar 38 there is arranged one of the lockingbars,which extend forwardly and rest against the relatively outer surface ofthe base plate.

The carrier 10 is formed in that surface next the base plate 1 with twospaced channels 62 and 63. These channels are designed .to receive andpermit independent movement of the guide bars 45 of the slide and of thelocking bars 59 arranged between said guide bars. Each channel is formedto provide independent guiding surfaces 64 and 65, said guiding surfacesforming the relatively outer or base wall of the channel. The guidingsurface 64 is designed to receive the guide bar 45 operating in thechannel, the forward end of said surface 64 being cutaway at 66 toprovide for the reception of the block 46 on the end {if the guide bar45, the'juncture between "the cutaway portion 66 and the surface 64being inclined, as at 67, so that in the relatively rearward movement ofthe guide bar the cotiperation of the inclined surfaces 47 of saidbarand 67 of the channel will induce an outward movement of the carrier.As will presently appear in the description of the operation it Therelatively 'outer end of the will benoted that the movement of theblocks 46 against the guiding surfaces 64 constitute the initialmovement of the parts in the uncoupling operation under the pull exertedon the operating slide bars 37, and that by this movement the blocks 46will, as the first operation of the parts, force the valve carrieroutwardly with relation to the base plate 1 of each head and therebyeflec- .tively disengage the respective gaskets of the head, the initialmovement of the slide bars also withdrawing the pressure bar andpermitting the valves to close. The guide surface .65, which is of lesslength than the guide surface 64 is also cutaway at its outer end at 68to receive the head 61 on the forward end of one of the locking bars 59,the cutaway portion 68 having an inclined rear surface 69to coiiperatewith a similar surface on the block 6l,for a purpose which willpresently appear.

The respective guide surfaces, cutaway portions'there'of, and blocks 47and 61 carried by the slide and locking bars, are so arranged that whensaid blocks are in the cutaway portions the springs 32 engaging thecarrier will operate to force said carrier toward the base plate andthereby project the sealing gaskets 21 through the openings 8 in saidbase plates, but that when the heads 46 or 61 or either of them areengaged with the guiding surfaces 64 or of the channels, the carrierwill be forced outwardly from the base plate against the tension of thesprings 32 and while in such position will, of course, maintain therespective gaskets 21 withdrawn through the openings 8 to avoidpossibility of the gaskets of one head frictionally engaging the gasketsof the other head during any and all operations of the parts while theheads 46 and 61 are in such h iding positions. The slide bar 35 isconnected by a spring with the relatively rear ends of the guide flanges50, the spring being tensioned to normallymaint-ain the slide bar in theforward or operative position. With the parts of-the respective couplingheads arranged as described, the operation in the act of coupling is asfollows, it being understood that prior to such operation the liftingbar 56 of each locking lever rests in advance of and directly againstthe shoulder 43 on the coiiperating slide bar, in which position theslide is positively held withdrawn from operative position and theblocks 46 on the forward ends of the guide bars 45 of the slide bar areengaged with the guiding surfaces 64 of the channels so as to maintainthe valve carrier in inoperative positionto hold the sealing gasketswithdrawn. The pressure bar 40is also withdrawn from contact with thevalve stems so that the valves of each carrier are closed.

As the nose end 6 of the opposing heads ride into the respectivehousings 48 each 1,172,eee

base plate at the nose end of the coupler, which is slightly rounded asshown, will engage the rounded forward end of the hook 53 of eachlocking lever. As the heads ad Vance to 'couplingposition the engagementdescribed gradually forces each-locking lever outward relative to thebase plate by which it is carried, the movement being continued untilthehook end of each of said locking levers rides into the slot 7 of therelatively opposing heads. As the hook end of each locking lever isgradually forced I of the position of the blocks 46 of the guide. I bars45. The relatively outward movement of the hook ends of the lockinglevers is continued until the'lifting bars 56 of said levers aredisengaged from the shoulders on the slide bars, this disengagementoccur- V ring just preceding the reverse movement of the locking leversto engage the slots of the opposing heads. Immediately the slide barsare freed from engagement with the locking levers the springs 70 operateto induce a relatively forward movement of the slide bars, whichmovement causes the pres sure bars 40 to engage and open the valves, atthe same time disposing the blocks 46 carried by guide bars in positionto cotiperate with the cutaway portions 66 of the guide surfaces 64. Inthis'position the blocks 46 are so disposed as to permit a free movementof the valve carrier to dispose the gaskets in sealing position, butsaid movement of the carrier. is as yet prevented as the locking bars 59are still withdrawn so that the blocks 61 thereof support the valvecarrier in inoperative position. Immediately succeeding the describedmovement of the slide bar, however, the hook ends of the locking leversengage the slots of the oppos ing heads, locking said heads together,the engaging movements of the locking levers operating to move thelocking bars 59 forwardly so that the blocks 61 thereof engage thecutaway portion 68 of the guide sur; .faces 65, thereby permitting themovement of the valve carriers to operative positions to insure asealing coiiperation between the gaskets of the respective carriers. Itis, of course, understood that the operations of the slide bar andlocking levers to operative positions are almost simultaneous so thatthe valves are opened momentarily prior to 130 greases insure that allparts of the respectiveheads be in coupling positions prior to themovement of the carriers to project the gaskets. In other'words it is tobe distinctly noted that the movement of the gaskets into sealingpositions is the final operation of the parts, so that there is nopossibility of any sliding contact between the gaskets of the opposingheads. With the parts in operative or coupled positions the lifting bar56.

of the locking levers rests upon the lane portions ll of the slide bars,as 0 early shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In the uncoupling operation,which is also automatic, the pull being exerted upon .the respectiveslide bars will initially induce a movement of said bars independent ofthe movement of any other part, the lifting bars 56 of each lockingleverriding on the plane portions 41 of they slide bars. This initialmovement of the slide bars operates to withdraw the blocks 46 from thecutaway portions 66 of the valve carriers and move said blocks intoengagement with the guiding surfaces 64- of the channels, therebyserving to force the valve carriers outwardly relative to the respectivebase plates and disengage the gaskets of the respective heads from theircontact. The initlal movement of the slide bar will, of course, withdrawthe pressure bar from engagement with the valves, permitting said valvesto close. Thereby, in the initial and first movement of the parts in theuncoupling operation,

- separation.

lease of the pull on the slide bars the springstherespective valvecarriers are forced apart to disengage their gaskets and close thevalves. As the pull continues on the slide bars the inclined portions4211f said bars will. engage the lifting bars 56 of each'locking leverand gradually elevate the hook end of said lever to disengage it fromthe slot 7 of the opposing head. The relatively rearward movement of theslide bar is continued causing the lifting bars 56 to ride up theinclines 44 of the slide bars and elevate the hook end of the respectivelooking levers to completely release the opposing heads, whereupon theheads are free for Immediately succeeding the retend to return said barsto norma position, but the spring 55 has meanwhile forced the lockinglevers toward operative position, so that as the slide bars advance thelifting bars 56 of the locking levers will ride into and engage theshoulders 43' of the slide bars, holding the slide bars withdrawn fromcomplete operative position against the tension of the spring 70. Withthe slide bars in this position, as shown in full lines in Fig.3, itwill be noted that the pressure bar to is out of contact with the valvesso that As the initial feature of the operation it' is to beparticularly noted that in the coupling operation the final movement ofthe parts is that which permits the movement of the valve carriers to aposition to cause engagement of the sealing gaskets of the respectiveheads, and in the uncoupling operation the first or initial movement isthat which withdraws the valve carriers to disengage the gaskets of therespective heads. By this operation it will be seen that in the coupling operation the gaskets are not moved toward each other until allpossible relative movement of the respective heads has been accomplishedand in the uncoupling operation the gaskets are separated from eachother before there is any possibility of relative movement of theheads.Such relative movement'of the heads in the coupling and uncouplingoperation cannot therefore by any means affect the gaskets so far asducing a frictional movement of these partsis concerned. Therefore, thewear on the gaskets lncldent to a slidingcontact 1s absolutely preventedand the gaskets are always a rod 71 threaded therein, which rod has aninwardly turned terminal 72 designed to receive and engage one end of acoil spring 7 3, the opposite end of which is designed to bear on thelocking lever 52 preferably ongaging a stud 7i projecting therefrom' InFigs. 12 and 14 inclusive I have shown a means for supporting thecoupling head from the car, in which the slide 35 is provided at itsrear end with a cross extension 7 5, and in advance of said extension isconnected to the lower terminal of a coil spring 76, the upper terminalof which is connected to the draw-bar 77 of the ordinar coupling. Theends of the cross section 5 are drawn rearwardly to provide parallelarms 78, each of which passes through a connecting bar .79. The openings80 insaid connecting bar for the terminals of the arms 7 8 are ofmaterially greater diameter than the diameter of said arms, therelatively outer wall of each of the openings 80 being inclinedoutwardly and forwardly, whereby to permit an independent movement ofthe parts. Each arm 78 is. provided with a hear ing block 81 having asemispherical or rounded rear surface, designed to seat in the recess 82in the forward portion of the connecting bar 79 about the openings 80, a

spring 83 encircling the arm in advance of the block 81 and bearingbetween said block and a stop 8d fixed on the 'arm, the end of theconnecting bar beyond the connection of the arms 78 thereto arepivotally connected to rods 85, having universal joints immediatelyadjacent their connection with bar 79, said rods extend rearwardlyandare projected through eyes 86 carried on the adjacent truck bolster87, the rear terminals of. the rod having nuts 88 and washers .89, be-

tween which washers and the eye 86, or a Washer encircling the rodadjacent the.

eye, is arranged a coil spring 90; The connecting bar 1s centrally andpivotally supported on a rod 91, depending from the draw bar of-theusual coupler, upon which such connecting bar is free for turning orindependent vertical movement. The im-. proved head will thusautomatically adapt itself to the swinging action of the" cars, or

permit a higher or lower position as when one car, may be more heavilyloaded than the adjacent car. The respective springs operate to maintainthehead in proper position centrally of the car the connections betweenthe arms 78 and. the bar 79 and said bar and the'bolster 87'permittingsuch movement of the particular coupling head as will insure themaintenance of the coupling be'-' tween'the pipes in theswinging of acar.

about a curve or the like, all of which is clearly shown in Fig. 12 ofthe drawings.

In Figs. 15, 16, and 17 I have shown a modified form of arrangement inwhich the gaskets are normally inprojected or sealing position, theparts being 'so arranged that the gaskets are automatically withdrawnfrom such sealing position and maintained in such withdrawn positionduring the coupling and uncoupling operation of the heads. In this formof the invention I dispense with several of the parts shown anddescribed in connection with the preferred form, thereby eliminating thecost and complication incident to such parts. I

In the form being described the head is practically identical with thatdescribed in the preferred form, except that in the modified form thebase plate, herein denoted by 92 is formed in distinct ofi'set portions,the relatively forward portion 93 thereof being 1 in a plane inwardlywith relation to the op-.

inner surface of said carrier there is formed spaced parallel channels98, the relatively outer wall of which inclines outwardly from the inneror forward end of the carrier toward the rear end, as clearly shown inFig.

15. The operating slide bar 99 in the modified form is approximatelysimilar to that in the preferred form except that said bar is notprovided with the guide bars 45' and in place of the operating shouldersand planes for the lifting bar of the locking ends support a rod 103arranged to project beyond the relatively outer sides of the respectivebars to form trunnions 104. The respective bars 102 are so'spaced thatwhen the locking lever is in place said bars will rest in the channels98 in the-valve carrier, asclearly shown in Fig. 15. The trunnions '104of the lever are rotatably mounted in half-bearing blocks 105 secured'tothe base plate immediately in advance of the valve carrier, so that withthe valve carrier removed the locking lever may be freely lifted fromthe bearings. Rearwardly be ond the valve carrier the bars 102 ofthe'ever are connected by a cross bar 106 and centrally of the cross barthere is arranged a rearwardly projecting hook end 107, the lowersurface of which inclines downwardly from the relatively lower plane ofthe bars 102,

as at 108, the rear end of the hook 107 forming an abutment 109 designedwhen the lever is. in looking position to bear against thethickenedportion 6 of the nose of the opposing lever, as shown in Fig. 15'. Thehook end 107 is of skeleton formvand the relatively upper wall of theopening within said portion is formed at its rear end-with a downwardincline 110 and vin advance thereof with a shoulder 111, the surface inadvance of the shoulder being downwardly inclined, as at 112. Theopening of the hook end 107 is designed to embrace the cross bar 100carried by the operating slide bar 99, so that in the movements of thelever said bar will engage the various surfaces and shoulders formed inthenpper wall of the opening. The relatively outer edge of each of thebars 102 is formed with an offset or projection 113, which is soarranged thatv when the bars are in the channels 98 the projections 113will engage the relatively outer walls of said channels in alinementwith the springs for forcin the valve carriers to op-' erative-position,w ich springs are identical with those in the preferred form.

In operation the heads of the modified construction approach each otheras in the preferred form. it being noted, however,

that owingto the offset por-tionsof'the' plate the relatively innerportions 93' of said plates willcontact and as the heads approach eachother will engage and force the respective hook ends of the lockinglevers outward. This movement of the levers will force the valvecarriers outward and so withdraw the gaskets from the sealing position.The valve carriers cannot. return to normal position until therespective heads are so disposed as to permit the hooks of each lockinglever'to ride through the recess 7 of the opposing head, and astherespective heads are in coupled position at this time-it willice-obvious that the gaskets are moved to operative or sealing positionsonly after the heads are fixed with relation to each other. In theuncoupling operation the initial movement of the slide bars incident tothe pull thereon will cause the cross bars '100 to travel down theinclines 110 of the respective locking lever, thusinitially withdrawingthe gaskets from sealingposition, the movement being continued until thecross bar 100 engages the incline 1.12 of each lever and fully withdrawsthe leverfrom looking position. The initial sepa rating movement of theheads will, owing 1 to the offset bases, effectively separate the baseplates at the inclined webs 96, thereby effectively preventing contactofthe gaskets in the return of these parts to normal or sealingposition. Upon release of the pull the slide bar 99 returns to aposition in which the bar 100 is in engagement with a notch 111,permitting a full projection of the hook end of the locking leverthrough the openings 7 in the particular head and yet preventingengagement of the pressure bar of the slide bar with the valve stems.

In Fig. 18 I have shown the preferred form of head except that the baseplate is offset as in the form shown in Fig. 15, and

the locking lever 115 is of skeleton form at the hook end, a cross bar11 carried by the operating slide bar being arranged to coiSperate withinclined surfaces 116, shoulders 117' and inclined surfaces 118, withthe operation of parts substantially identical with that described inconnection with the preferred form.

The invention so far described is designed particularly for theautomatic coupling and uncoupling of the air brake, sig-- nal, and steampipes between cars ofa train, contemplating, of course,'the manualuncoupling of the cars under the usual operations of the train men. Inthis event, of course, it is desired that the air and steam pipes beautomatically cut off when the cars are disconnected, and the apparatusdescribed is admirably adapted to this end. It is appreciated, however,that under certain circumstances it is highly desirable that the airbrake and signal pipes at least remain openaf-terthe separation of thecars. For example in the'event of an unforeseen parting of the train orthe derailment of .a car, or other accident tending to break a coupler,it is essential that the air brake and-signal pipes remainopen after theair coupling heads have separated, in order to sound the signal andbleed the train pipe." I have devised a construction to ac complish thisresult, which is shown par ticularly in'Figs. 19, 20, and 21. jReferring particularly to Figs. 19 and 20, the stems 24 of the valveclosing the ports leading to the air pipes connected by. the

coupler are united for simultaneous operation by a .tie plate 119, sothat these two valves move uniformly. Secured to the cover plate 4 ofeach coupling head at a point immediately in rear of the valves arebracket members 120 having depending arms 1-21 arranged in spacedparallel relation and extending inwardly from the cover plate. Betweensaid arms,-at their relatively inner ends, is pivotally mounted alocking dog 122, which in advance of the pivotv is straight and formedon the relatively inner edge at the forward end with a notch orshoulder'123. Rearwardly beyond the pivotthe dog is curved, as at 124,and the termi nal of the curved portion is connected to the upper end ofone of the .arms 121 by means of a coil spring 125. The parts are soconstructed that in the normal position of the dog the connection of thespring thereto is beyond alinement with the pivot of the dog and theconnection of the other end of the spring, this fact being equally true'in the operative position of the 0g, so that the spring tends to holdthe dog in either position. The tie' plate 119 rides against therelatively inner edge of the dog, and the latter is of such length thatunder the movement of the pressure bar 40 the tie plate will be movedinto such position to be engaged by the shoulder 123, so

that the dog will thereby lock the valves in open position independentof the pressure plate. A flexible connection 126 extends from theshouldered end of'the dog through the cover plate of the coupling headand to the lever by which the car coupler is controlled, so that inoperating said lever to uncouple the cars the chain 126 will be drawnupon to withdraw the dog from engageheads separate, as previouslydescribed, the valves will close through action of their springs, therearward movement of the pressure bar of the slide 37 engaging thecurved end of the dog and restoring it tooperative position. Therefore,when the cars are manually uncoupled the valves are permitted to close.If, however, there is an emergency parting of the car couplers, thecoupling heads of this invention Wlll separate, but as the dog is inengagement w th the tie plate it is obvious that the air valves willremain open, sounding the alarm and bleeding the train pipe to set thebrakes.

In Fig. 21 I have shown the automat c lock as adapted for those carscarrying the automatic uncoupling lever which, after initial operation,returns to normal position. In this form the dog 122, which isidentical-in all particulars with that previously described,- isconnected by a spring 127 with the cover plate 4, the connection of thespring to the cover plate and to the dog being on the same side of thepivot of the dog. In this form the dog is" always held in operativeposition by the spring, so

that the operation of the automatic uncoupling lever simply relieves thevalves from the dog connection during the uncoupling of the cars and thedog immediately returns to an operative position for the next operation.Accidental uncoupling of the cars, however, has the same efi'ect as inthe previously described form. The automatic lock shown in Fig. 21 isfurther advantageous in that it prevents unauthorized persons fromoperating the uncoupling lever while the cars are separated and sosetting the dog in inoperative position.

lhe salient feature of the present invention resides in the provision ofcoupling pipes of cars, the sealing gaskets, which in themselves aloneserve to maintain a fluidtight juncture between the heads, being adaptedfor such operation independent of the movement of the heads as willcause a contact between said gaskets'only at the moment necessary toprevent leakage of the -fluid, the respective gaskets being maintainedseparated during the entire independent movement of the heads incoupling and uncoupling. By this arrangement any frictional or slidingcontact of the gaskets is absolutely prevented and the wear of thegaskets incident to such movement avoided. The coupling is thusmaintained in perfect relation as thegaskets are not'subjected to theleast wear and will at all times maintain 'a fluidtight juncture betweenthe heads.

mvaese ing adapted to hold the gasket operating means against the normaloperation thereof.

3. A coupling head including a valve carrier, means for supporting thecarrier, a .fluid channel formed in the carrier, a gasket fOIIIliI1g theoutlet end of the channel, a valve normally closing the channel, andmeans operative in the coupling movement of the head to release thecarrier supporting means and open the valve.

4. A coupling head including a valve carrier formed with a fluidchannel, means for operating the carrier in one direction, a valvenormally closing said channel, a gas ket encircling the outlet end ofthe channel, and means for permitting operation of movement of the head.

5. A coupling head including a valve carrier formed with, a fiuidchannel, a valve normally closing said channel, a gasket encircling theoutlet end of the channel, means for forcing the carrier to arrange thegasket in sealing position relative to the complementary head, and.means for supporting the carrier against the influence of its open atingmeans.

6. A coupling head including a valve carrier formed with a fluidchannel, a gasket encircling the outlet of the channel, springs- ;toroperating the carrier in one direction, and means for operating thecarrier against the tension of said springs to withdraw the gasket fromsealing position.

7 A coupling head including a valve carrier formed with a fluid channel,a gasket encircling the outlet of thechannel, means for moving thecarrier in a direction to arrange the gasket in sealing; position, meansfor interlocking the head with .a complementary head, and meanscontrolled by the interlocking means for operating the carrier tomaintain the gasket withdrawn from sealing position.

8. A coupling head comprising a casing, a valve carrier movable thereinand formed with a fluid channel, a gasket encircling the outlet of thechannel, a locking lever carried by the head, and means operated in themovement of the lever to support the carrier to maintain the gasketWithdrawn from sealing position.

9. A coupling head including a valve carnot: formed with a fluidchannel, a gasket encircling the outlet of the channel, and a lockinglever to engage a complementary head, said lever being provided withmeans bar carried by the slide bar and normally to support the carrierto maintain the gasket withdrawn from sealing position.

10. A coupling head comprising a casing, a valve carrier movabletherein, a locking lever pivoted in the casing, a slide bar engaged bythe lever, and projections carried by the lever to engage and operatethe carrier to position the gasket relative to scaling position.

11. A coupling head comprising a casing, a valve carrier movable thereinand formed with a fluid channel, a gasket encircling the outletof thechannel, a locking lever, and means carried by the lever and operable inthe movement thereof to operate the carrier and gasket with regard toits sealing position.

12. A coupling head comprising a casing, a valve carrier movable thereinand formed with a fluid channel, a valve arranged in said channel, alocking lever pivotally mounted in the head, a slide bar, valveoperating means carried by the slide bar, and

means integral with the lever to operate the carrier to move the gasketfrom sealing position.

13. A coupling head including a casing, a valve carrier movable in thecasing and formed with a fluid channel, a valve normally closing saidchannel, a slide bar supported in the casing, means for operating theslide bar in one direction, a locking lever mounted in the casing andarranged to normally hold the slide bar against the influence of itsoperating means, a valve pressure bar carried by the slide bar and.normally free of contact with the valve, and means carried by the leverto 'operate the carrier and gasket.

14. A coupling head including a casing, a valve carrier movable in thecasing and formed with a fluid channel, a valve normally closing saidchannel, a slide bar supported in the casing, means for operating theslide bar in one direction, a locking lever mounted in the casing andarranged to normally hold the slide bar against the influence of itsoperating means, a valve pressure bar carried by the slide bar andnormally free of contact with the valve, and blocks carried by the leverto normally engage and operate the carrier and gasketf 15. A couplinghead including a casing, a valve carrier movable in the casing andformed with a fluid channel, a valve normally closing said channel, aslide bar supported in the casing, means for operating the slide bar inone direction, a lockmg lever mounted in the casing and arranged tonormally hold the slide bar against the influence of its operatingmeans, a valve pressure free of contact with the valve, said carrierbeing formed with channels, and blocks projecting beyond the surfaces ofthe lever and moving in the channels to engage and operate the carrier.

16. A coupling head comprising a-casing,

ing, a locking lever pivotally mounted on; the casing, and blockscarried by the lever to engage and operate the carrier.

17. A coupling head" eluding a sealing gasket and valves, a slide bar,means carried by said bar to operate the valves, means for operating thebar in a direction to open the valves, and a locking lever to engage acomplementary head, said lever being adapted to normally maintain theslide bar in position to prevent its operation of the valves. 4 18. Acoupling head including a series of valves, a slide bar arranged tooperate the valves, a'locking lever arranged to engage the complementaryhead, and means carried by the lever to engage and hold the slide inposition to prevent its influence upon the valves.

19. A coupling head including a series of valves, a slide bar arrangedto operate the.

valves,'a locking lever arranged to engage ,the complementary head,means carried by the lever to engage and hold the slide in normalposition, and means to operate the slide to open the valves in themovement of the locking lever to disengage the slide holding means.

20. A coupling head including a gasket arranged for sealing cooperationwith a complementary head, a locking lever to engage the complementaryhead, and means operated by said lever for maintaining the gasketwithdrawn from sealing position duringmovement of the lever.

21. A coupling head including a gasket arranged for sealing cooperationwith a complementary head, means for forcing said gasket to sealingposition, a locking lever carried by the head to engage thecomplementary head, and means operated-by said lever for maintaining thegasket in Withdrawn position against said gasket-forcing means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ISAAC A. HARRISON.

Witnesses:

J 05. H. THOMAS, HAZEL HARRISON.

